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The distillation process spread to Scotland and Ireland by the 15th century via Alexandrian Greeks, Medieval Arabs and Latin Europeans. The Scots and the Irish, who already had a well-developed tradition of farming cereal crops, used the technique to distil from a variety of fermented grain mashes to produce a spirit, most closely resembling today's new make spirits.

This spirit was used 'for medicinal purposes' for some time, but started to become widely adopted as a beverage of choice and a good way to use up excess grains, keeping them safe from the rats' clutches. Once the spirit started to be stored in oak barrels, it was noticed that this had the delightful consequence of providing flavour and colour, giving it a deeper and more mellow taste than the raw spirit. Today, whisky must be aged for at least 3 years in an oak Barrel before it can legally be called "whisky".

Best Selling Scotch Whisky

The whiskeys of America tend to have more spicy notes and a vanilla sweetness, due to the new, charged-oak barrels that are used for maturation of Bourbon, especially. This massive generalisation doesn't do the range of whiskey styles justice, however. American Whiskeys include Bourbons, Ryes, Tennessee Whiskeys and Straight Corn Whiskey, all of which offer a distinct flavour profile. More recently, the craft distilling movement has led to even greater variety, led by the likes of St. George Spirits and Balcones.

Best Selling American Whiskey

The whisky production methods of Japan most closely resemble those of Scotch Whisky, and the results speak for themselves. Multi-award winning producers Suntory and Nikka have proven credentials in consistently producing excellent whiskies including single malts from Yamazaki, Hakushu, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. Whisky from the closed distillery of Karuizawa, meanwhile, has become the stuff of legend including releases of the kind of vintages rarely seen outside of Scotland.

Best Selling Japanese Whisky

The triple distillation process widely used in Irish Whiskeys tends to lend them a smooth and fruity flavour. They are also unique in their production of single pot still whiskey. The Irish have been producing whisk(e)y for as long (or longer, according to some sources) as the Scots, and that heritage comes through in fantastic spirits from producers such as Midleton, Bushmills, Cooley and, of course, Jameson.

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The prices currently being shown in USD(change) are approximate, and should be used for illustrative purposes only. All prices are in GBP and all orders are charged in GBP. The order total – the amount you will actually be charged – will be displayed in GBP before you place your order.